continue to respect all commenters and create constructive debates. The existing Open Comments threads will continue to exist for those who do not subscribe to try again, the name must be uniquePlease AFP via Getty Images {{#sender.isSelf}} Little did we know it at the time, but eyebrows were already raised.England came up agonisingly short in the Women’s Super Series in the United States as the Black Ferns cemented their status as the world’s dominant women’s side with victory in the four-team round robin.The Black Ferns added the Super Series to their status as world champions.The Rugby Championship kicked off with a shorter format as teams played each other just once with one eye on the World Cup, with the Springboks beating the Wallabies.Rassie Erasmus’s side sent out a real statement by securing a draw with the All Blacks in Wellington, which paved the way for them to have a shot at the overall title.The Wallabies then went and stunned New Zealand in Perth with their biggest ever winning margin after Scott Barrett picked up a red card, which triggered much debate among the rugby world over where the line had been moved to in contact with the head.The victory in Perth allowed South Africa to wrap up the title without playing in Argentina, but they smashed the Pumas to ensure they finished the shortened tournament as undefeated champions and went into the World Cup as favourites.Having awoken the bear the week before, Australia felt the full wrath of the All Blacks as they suffered a 36-0 whitewash.The Rugby World Cup warm-ups meanwhile were playing out in Europe where England recorded an emphatic 57-15 victory over Ireland that exposed real problems in Joe Schmidt’s squad in a sign of things to come.The Rugby World Cup opened in a sea of colour and lights in Yokohama as Japan 2019 got underway on 20 September.The hosts opened their account with a solid if unflattering victory over Russia, though every second was cheered on by a passionate fanbase that would come to define what the entire tournament was all about.The Japanese public got behind Jamie Joseph’s side like never before as rugby fever swept across the nation.Reece Hodge, right, was lucky to get away with a dangerous tackle on Peceli YatoThe All Blacks got back on course with a convincing victory over the Springboks in what would prove their toughest pool game by a country mile. {{#sender.isSelf}} Fitness boost: Henry Slade is hoping to play for Exeter against Gloucester on Friday nightSlade - seen here in action during the World Cup Final - has missed the start of the Six Nations There are no Independent Premium comments yet - be the first to add your thoughts
{{#replies}} It is frustrating all the time watching on the weekends and I am trying as hard as I can now to get back fit and to give myself a shot of being involved. Please Henry Slade has won two international caps for England Henry Slade will undergo surgery on Sunday after suffering a suspected broken leg in Exeter's Premiership victory over Wasps. try again, the name must be unique try again, the name must be uniquePlease England set for potential Six Nations boost as Henry Slade eyes return from fractured ankle A late George Ford try spared them the ignominy of defeat, but it did not spare their blushes.Meanwhile England Women wrapped up a Six Nations Grand Slam with a powerful performance over Scotland at Twickenham to spark wild celebrations.The post-Six Nations lull did not last long as Europe kicked back into gear, with Leinster sneaking an all-Irish derby quarter-final to knock out Ulster and keep their title defence alive.Saracens meanwhile came through a controversial semi-final against Munster that took place in a half-empty Ricoh Arena in Coventry and against the backdrop of Billy Vunipola’s controversial Instagram comments, for which he was warned by club and country.In what many billed as the ultimate European final, Saracens battered Leinster into submission to reclaim the Champions Cup.The Allianz Park side doubled up three weeks later as they defeated Exeter Chiefs in what was regarded as the greatest Premiership final ever witnessed, securing their status as the dominant club side in the northern hemisphere. It allows our most engaged readers to debate the big issues, share their own experiences, discuss The year kicked off with reigning Premiership champions Saracens knocked off at Sale as the Sharks claimed yet another high-profile victim at the AJ Bell Stadium.Meanwhile Exeter Chiefs edged a tight affair against Bristol Bears to remain top of the Premiership table where they would remain until the end of the season.Saracens record their second victory of the season over Glasgow Warriors to join the Scottish side, Leinster, Munster, Ulster, Toulouse, Edinburgh and Racing 92 in the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup, making them the soul representatives of the Premiership left in the competition.The Six Nations got underway with a bang in February as England recorded a rare victory against the odds in Dublin, with Manu Tuilagi returning to the starting line-up for the first time in more than four years.